Across the country, a growing number of immigrants’ rights advocates and outspoken members of the immigrant community are ending up in immigration detention, facing deportation, or being threatened with criminal charges.

In Arizona, No More Deaths, a humanitarian organization whose purpose is to prevent deaths of migrants crossing the desert, recently released a report accusing Border Patrol agents of putting the lives of migrants at risk due to recorded incidents of them sabotaging water containers and other supplies. A week later, eight members of the organization were charged with federal crimes for leaving water, food, and blankets for migrants along desert trails.

In a robust democracy, the ability to express support or disapproval of the government and its leaders is essential. Under the First Amendment, the right to free speech applies to all, regardless of immigration status. However, as the New York Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU argued in a brief advocating for Mr. Ragbir’s release, when immigration activists begin facing harsh penalties in increasing numbers, it sends a clear signal to the rest of an already targeted immigrant community: Keep quiet, or you’ll be next.

These incidents are part of a broader trend by the Trump administration to target anyone that doesn’t agree with its policies. From the president’s attacks on the free press and the judiciary to mass arrests of inauguration protesters, this administration has made plain its contempt for the First Amendment.

Immigrants and their allies are not the only people who have been subject to charges from the U.S. government after expressing dissent for the Trump administration. But with Trump’s mass deportation agenda in full swing, immigrant communities are particularly vulnerable. Arrests targeting immigrants’ rights activists have increased at a time when ramped-up enforcement efforts have already had a chilling effect within immigrant communities. Over the past year, many immigrants have decided to steer clear of courthouses, hospitals, and other public spaces for fear of arrest and deportation

Despite claims from DHS that they are acting in the interest of public safety, enforcement tactics that deter immigrants’ full participation in society put us all at risk. By stoking fear in immigrant communities, DHS’ actions not only erode public trust — they also serve to silence and isolate immigrants and their families.

Moreover, by their very nature, silence and isolation allow problems to fester and grow. For example, when victims and witnesses are afraid to report crimes for fear of arrest and deportation, perpetrators get a free pass. When people are afraid to seek medical treatment or evacuate in an emergency, health and safety suffers. When immigrant leaders are scared to bring attention to government misconduct, those actions go unchecked. And when advocates are fearful to provide aid to people in need, lives are put at risk.

It is easy to see why the right to free speech is espoused in the FirstAmendment. Without the right to critique and hold our government accountable, our other constitutional rights can be easily trampled upon. That is why the stifling of advocate voices is so dangerous, especially in a community that is already under attack. Targeting immigrant leaders endangers the rights of those directly impacted, but it also threatens to chill the free speech of other would-be activists, who may remain quiet lest they, too, become targets for arrest.

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Anonymous

Really? US consitutional rights apply to non-citizens? Might want to consider name change since its no longer 'American' civil liberties youre concerned with. Can you imagine this "logic" being applied in any other country? e.g. I illegally enter Haiti then demand equal rights as Haitians. Patently absurd.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Yeah, the kkk has always been anti-immigrant, legal or no. I'd rather have a bunch of illegal or undocumented aliens living in my town or neighborhood than kkk members or nazis. :P

January 30, 2018

5:48 PM

Anonymous

Yes. Constitutional protections apply to ANYONE who is on US soil. But don't take my word for it - check in on what the Supreme Court has had to say on the matter:

In U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark, an 1898 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the term “person” under the Fifth Amendment applied to aliens living in the U.S.

In Fong Yue Ting v. U.S.,the court held that Chinese laborers, “like all other aliens residing in the United States,” are entitled to protection of the laws.

And, beyond even that, in a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Boumediene v. Bush, the court held that the basic right of habeas corpus to challenge illegal detentions by the US Government extends even to non-citizens on foreign territory.

Now tuck your tail between your legs and contemplate how ignorant you showed yourself to be.

January 30, 2018

9:16 PM

la Missy

Some rights in the Constitution are reserved only to citizens - voting for example. Others apply to all "persons"living in the country.

January 30, 2018

11:39 PM

Anonymous

This guy is dumb, they're silencing American activists!

January 31, 2018

1:18 AM

Dr. Timothy Leary

There are certain unwritten principles of the American federal government. First: it's a government "...of the people, by the people and for the people...", illegal immigrants are people. Second: "... malice toward none, charity for all...".

January 31, 2018

9:34 AM

Anonymous

Technically anyone who is a citizen of a country on either American continent is an American just as anyone who is a citizen of any Western European country is Western European. I think people exploit that so that they aren't really lying when they count illegals as "Americans " on polls and stuff.

January 31, 2018

5:42 PM

Anonymous

We actually have an American holiday that celebrates illegal immigration - Thanksgiving Day!

January 31, 2018

6:30 PM

Anonymous

Yes, like all left wing organizations, the ACLU conveniently omits the demonstrative adjective "illegal" when stating that the Trump Administration is "anti-immigrant." Typical Orwellian Lib newspeak.